Optibike upgrade to new lithiums and 800 watt motor complete

[thesaxman]

Well, guys, I had to do it. I've kept it under wraps until I was sure
all systems were go, and can now divulge my latest indulgence. I've
upgraded my 600t to an 800Li. Here's how it went:
I had a little frame problem due to my extreme girth and love for the
meatball sandwiches. Optibike immediately and graciously offered to
replace my frame, and I had the opportunity at that time to upgrade
the batteries to the latest and greatest. It was a tremendous
improvement in power, and I rode that 600Li for about 300 miles.
After 300 miles, I had another opportunity to upgrade the motor to the
800 watt, and did it. I am loving life.

Smooth, powerful, hauls this big man up the steepest hills. Pulling 80
lbs, it passes lydra-clad roadies like they're on beach cruisers made
of iron.

On a separate note, took my 2002 CRV to get some service done at 85k.
Needed over $1300 worth of work. Then I filled it up with $50 worth of
regular on the way home.
That will put things into perspective real quick on ebiking costs.

Ain't no mountain high enough, ain't no valley low enough, ain't no
river wide enough to keep me away from ridin'.
Keith

[lowco2]

Congrats, Keith, on YOUR new bike (which, I might add, somewhat
jealously, that you got before I got mine).
The 800 I rode last winter was just amazing and I'm looking forward to
mine. Give me some more reports. And when exactly are you getting that
"meatball" paint job? I'm sure Gunslinger can do that for you.
--John

[Jerome Daoust]

Congrats Keith,
and it's nice to know that there is upgrade potential for current
owners of whatever the future may brinng.

When I tried your bike, did it have the battery upgrade? I'm assuming
it still had the 600 motor.

Big question: What do you now call your bike? An 800LiS (S for
Saxman)?

Jerome

[Keith Felch]

No, Jerome, it's a 800LiM (M=powered by meatball sandwiches).
You rode it when it was a 600Li.
Smooth, quiet power is in store for you, my friend. No peddling up that
steep hill, like you experienced last time.
Keith

[remf]

Meatball sandwiches :) Congratulations on your upgrade, Keith.

I was in almost as much anticipation for OB1 as I was for 600t...now,
reading your comments, I can't wait to blast away at some really mean
mountains around here.

rem

[Jerome Daoust]

800LiM :-)

What is your guess at the noise level before/after your surgical
transplant of the MBB?
Would you say the noise is half of what it was before?
I'm assuming you have the latest oil-cooled (or is that oil-silenced)
800W MBB.

Jerome

[Keith Felch]

My 800 watt motor is a little noisier than the absolute latest model,
Jerome. I know this because I have ridden the very latest edition, and it is
much quieter than my 600 watt motor was.

Keith
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jerome Daoust" <EyesTo...@gmail.com>
To: "TidalForce Forum" <Tidal...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Friday, September 05, 2008 9:55 PM
Subject: [TF] Re: Optibike upgrade to new lithiums and 800 watt motor
complete

[deerfencer1]

Keith,

Congrats on all the upgrades, you swine <g>. Sounds like the 800 has
plenty of power for any reasonable human being, which makes me wonder
why in gawd's name Craig is going on about a 40 mph version?! I know
the air can get thin in Boulder, and maybe some beach sand leaked into
Craig's brain as well on his last vacation...

I'd love to see Opti succeed at this business, but pushing the power
envelope any further without going into e-motorcycle production
strikes me as a very risky proposition--and this is coming from a guy
who used to make his living for years running a chainsaw 50' up an oak
tree.

LH

[thesaxman]

Jerome,
My perception of the latest 800 watt motor is that it is 2/3 the
volume of my old 600 watt. That's just a guess.
Keith

> > Keith- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

[gfried]

On Sep 6, 7:04 pm, deerfencer1 <deerfenc...@aol.com> wrote:
> Keith,

>
>
> I'd love to see Opti succeed at this business, but pushing the power
> envelope any further without going into e-motorcycle production
> strikes me as a very risky proposition-

I have the same concerns. In Europe it's not legal as bicycle.
What about ramping up the Derni/Keirin business with those speeders?

cheers

gerfried

[remf]

Well I guess that's 40 MPH on the flat...I'd prefer 40 MPH going
uphill...a lot safer than going 40 MPH downhill!

Re the Keirin, there's already Quantya, Zero X & Blade...who needs
pedals above 40?

rem

[Richard Papa]

I agree Larry,

A 40mph version needs to classed as an LPM. No two ways about it!

Take care,

Rich

Btw, good for you Keith! You deserve the best our dear friend!

-----Original Message-----
From: Tidal...@googlegroups.com [mailto:Tidal...@googlegroups.com] On
Behalf Of deerfencer1
Sent: 06 September 2008 18:04
To: TidalForce Forum
Subject: [TF] Re: Optibike upgrade to new lithiums and 800 watt motor
complete

[deerfencer1]

Keith,

Care to share the dirty lowdown on your frame problem? As a fellow
Clydesdale also riding an aluminum frame, I'm curious as to how
serious this problem was. Also, the good, the bad, and the ugly is a
big part of what the forum is all about, please fess up <g>.

And kudos to Opti for resolving it so quickly with an even better
ride. That's what I call taking care of your customer.

Larry

[thes...@cox.net]

Larry re: frame replacement:
I added 40 pounds to my back early on instead of pulling my trailer, putting 350 pounds on the seat while hitting speed bumps.

The frame got slightly cheekier at the intersection of seat/downtube/shock. Jim personally inspected it, and they ordered a new 2008 frame for me, which has been redesigned with a larger support in that area where the shock meets the frame.
Keith

[Bike_on]

Keith -

How about an update with your 800LiM ride?

:) Dan

On Sep 8, 5:59 pm, <thesax...@cox.net> wrote:
> Larry re: frame replacement:
> I added 40 pounds to my back early on instead of pulling my trailer, putting 350 pounds on the seat while hitting speed bumps.
>
> The frame got slightly cheekier at the intersection of seat/downtube/shock. Jim personally inspected it, and they ordered a new 2008 frame for me, which has been redesigned with a larger support in that area where the shock meets the frame.
> Keith
>

[Keith Felch]

Here it is, Dan.
Rode tonight to San Clementi with my wife. 36 miles RT. Some very mean
hills. I did it on my 600, and was pretty tired when I got home. Tonight, I
feel great. Ready to ride again! Of course, I let the Opti do most of the
work. I did 30 miles with light-moderate pedalling before blinking red, and
switching to my external batt.
I'm really enjoying Economy mode. Basically, it allows me to cruise at about
25mph with moderate pedal effort, and really extends the range. It's a nice
joyride.
I'm glad for you and David that you got the 800. It's a great bike, and I
think fully realizes what an Opti should be.

Keith
----- Original Message -----
From: "Bike_on" <thero...@verizon.net>
To: "TidalForce Forum" <Tidal...@googlegroups.com>

Sent: Wednesday, September 10, 2008 7:54 PM
Subject: [TF] Re: Optibike upgrade to new lithiums and 800 watt motor
complete

>

[Bike_on]

Hi Keith,

You got me a little confused, did you mean your "800" and not 600?

Yes, the econo mode is great if you are not in a hurry. I can cruise
at 25mph on the flats with econo, but my long range average will be
22-23mph with econo only.

My problem with econo mode is the low steady state power. It is
300W. For my area and riding, not talking about ocean front trail
riding, I cannot use 8th and 9th gears in econo. If I shift from
7th-8th, the Opti will boost up my speed in 8th to about 26mph+, but
with easy pedalling, the speed drops to 24 or less and the rpms get
too low, and I have to shift back. Is that true for you? Do you go
above 7th gear in econo? David? John?

Dan

[thesaxman]

Sorry for the confusion, Dan. I should have said that I did it
previously on my 600 and was pretty tired, but tonight I rode it on my
800 and feel great.
Yes, econo for joy riding, or distance. I cruise in gear 6 with an
easy 80-85 cadence, and gear 7 with moderate effort. So 20-25mph in
econo. Lotsa fun. Really makes you feel like you're riding a bike, not
racing a bike.
But you bet I've got fast mode at the ready for hills. I'd love to
have that mode switch near my throttle, instead of on the control
panel.
Keith

[thesaxman]

I have an 8 speed cassette.

Keith

On Sep 11, 11:51 am, Bike_on <therowe...@verizon.net> wrote:

[lowco2]

I use eco mode quite a bit, even on flat ground. It forces me to pedal
harder. On many flatter roads, I can hit 30 mph in eco mode, that's
pretty much spun out. I have only a 7-speed on my 600t and I use 7 a
lot.
--John

On Sep 11, 11:51 am, Bike_on <therowe...@verizon.net> wrote: